New Zealand Overturns Candace Owen’s Visa Denial—Minister Cites ‘Importance Of Free Speech’
Key Facts
According to public broadcaster Radio New Zealand, the decision to overturn Owen’s visa denial was made by the country’s Associate Immigration Minister Chris Penk.
Penk told the broadcaster he received a request for ministerial intervention from Owens and he “made his decision after considering representations made to him, including the importance of free speech.”
Owens was denied entry into New Zealand under an immigration law that allows authorities in the country to deny a visa to someone if they have been “excluded from another country,” which in this instance was neighboring Australia.
Owens’ entry ban in Australia still remains in effect and it is unclear if she has appealed the decision.
The conservative pundit has not personally commented on the decision but she shared an Instagram story of another user calling it a “big win” for free speech.
Why Is Candace Owens Barred Entry Into Australia?
Owens’ Australian visa application was rejected last month. She was scheduled to visit the country for a speaking tour in February and March next year, with an event in Auckland, New Zealand also part of the schedule. Australia’s Immigration Minister Tony Burke cited comments by Owens that “downplay[ed]
the impact of the Holocaust” and claimed “ Muslims started slavery,” as the reason for the denial. Burke also said, “Candace Owens has the capacity to incite discord in almost every direction…Australia’s national interest is best served when Candace Owens is somewhere else.” The website promoting Owens’ 2024 speaking tour to the two countries is still online and is advertising dates in Auckland and five Australian cities—Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne. The website makes no mention of the conservative pundit’s visa troubles.
Key Background
Owens, who is a prominent right-wing commentator on YouTube, has been at the center of controversies over her remarks about various issues, including gender identity and race. She claims she became a conservative overnight in 2017 and a year later she founded the “Blexit Foundation” to call on Black Americans to leave the Democratic party. In 2021, she launched her own talk show “Candace” as part of the Daily Wire’s online media network. Earlier this year, Owens exited the Daily Wire after a very public feud with the online outlet’s co-founder Ben Shapiro over the Israel-Hamas war. Owens attacked “political Jews” and fanned conspiracy theories about “secret Jewish gangs” in Hollywood. She has previously defended Kanye West—who made several antisemitic comments in 2022—and even Adolf Hitler. Owens has also been a vocal opponent of the Black Lives Matter movement and even appeared alongside West in a “White Lives Matter” shirt during the Paris Fashion Week in 2022.
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